On December 11, 2023, the Hydrogen Energy Carnival & Annual Meeting of China Hydrogen Energy 100 Forum was officially held in Suzhou. The conference was hosted by China Hydrogen Energy 100 Forum and New Energy Think Tank, organized by Hydrogen Energy Observer, and addressed by Zhang Song, Editor-in-Chief of Century New Energy Network and Secretary-General of Hydrogen Energy 100 Forum.
The conference focused on the current technical status and major issues of hydrogen energy in chemical engineering, steel, pipelines, transportation and other fields, and explored industrial hotspots in hydrogen power, hydrogen storage, fuel cells and other directions.
Engage in the great century-long transformation of energy Explore new topics for the energy revolution
Xu Dingming, former Counselor of the State Council and former Director of the National Energy Administration, stated that the hydrogen energy industry is still in the early stage of development, and its development path needs further exploration. At present, digital empowerment should be adopted to establish a new energy system and build a new energy infrastructure. Hydrogen energy, integrated with energy storage, serves as the third pillar of energy and a close partner in secondary energy. It will become a basic and primary energy source in the future, acting as the hub of the future new energy system as well as the energy internet. Current efforts in hydrogen energy development shall focus on its application, popularization, training and other related work. The fundamental goal of the energy revolution is to build an energy ecosystem and promote energy ecological civilization; its essential purpose is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. Realizing the energy revolution and the dual carbon goals represents the original aspiration of energy practitioners.
Current Status and Trends of the Global Hydrogen Energy Industry
Mei Wu, Technical Director of Hydrogen Energy Company of State Power Investment Corporation, stated that the green transformation and sustainable development of society are historical inevitabilities, and attention should be paid to energy and environmental issues. The "Dual Carbon" goal proposed in 2020 marked a turning point for China's hydrogen energy development. As an energy carrier, hydrogen enables large-scale energy storage, spatial and temporal transfer of energy, and clean utilization of energy, which can fundamentally solve the problems of large-scale energy storage and large-scale accommodation brought about by the high-proportion application of renewable energy.
At present, the hydrogen energy industry boasts huge development potential, and bottlenecks must be broken in upstream production, midstream storage and transportation, and downstream applications. During the Q&A session, Mei Wu mentioned that China is expected to surpass Japan in hydrogen production in about three years.
Research on the Coupled Development of Green Hydrogen (Ammonia) and Thermal Power
Jiang Hai, Vice President of the New Energy Research Institute at the Hydroelectric Power Planning and Design Institute, stated that based on China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, a new energy system and a new power system have been proposed. The large-scale development of new energy has also raised demand for energy storage, among which long-duration energy storage has attracted wide attention.
At present, the efficiency of the "electricity‑hydrogen (ammonia)‑electricity" cycle is about 20%, and can ideally be improved to a maximum of 31%. The green ammonia market is closely related to its economic viability. The national total potential for ammonia co-firing is currently 138 million tonnes per year. The cost of electricity generated from ammonia-coal co-firing in thermal power plants is currently around 1.47 yuan per kWh, and is expected to drop to about 0.6–0.7 yuan per kWh in the future.
Thermal power ammonia co-firing can also reduce the cost of power grid renovation and truly achieve long-duration energy storage across days, months, and seasons.
Research on the Coupled Development of Green Hydrogen (Ammonia) and Thermal Power
Mi Wanliang, Head of the Hydrogen Energy Center at Shandong Research Institute of Tianjin University and Chairman of Beijing HydrogenE Energy Technology Co., Ltd., stated that hydrogen energy presents an opportunity to solve the problem of wind and photovoltaic power curtailment. At present, China mainly focuses on the development of hydrogen production via water electrolysis, and there are four major technologies for this process.
The cost of PEM electrolyzers will drop by more than 50% from current levels as current density increases, raw material costs decrease, and mass-production scale effects take effect. According to calculations, PEM electrolyzers will become more economical than alkaline electrolyzers in 3 to 4 years.
The key technologies of PEM water electrolysis for hydrogen production lie in proton exchange membranes, sealed electrolyzer cells and bipolar plates. When PEM electrolyzers can operate under differential pressure, costs will be further reduced, especially in small-scale water electrolysis hydrogen production, where their economic efficiency will even surpass that of alkaline electrolyzers.
A New Model for Carbon Tariff Adjustment: Co-firing Technology of Hydrogen, Ammonia and Coal, and Carbon Sequestration
Lu Huimin, Director of the Hydrogen Energy Materials and Engineering Research Center at Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University in Zhejiang and CTO of Asia Pacific Hydrogen in Taiwan, stated that China’s achievements in photovoltaic development will soon be seen in the hydrogen energy industry. It is estimated that China’s green hydrogen supply will reach about 30 million kilograms by 2040.
The ESG and verification process consists of qualitative inventory, quantitative inventory, and continuous improvement. Three documents are critical: first, the establishment of an emissions inventory; second, the greenhouse gas report; and third, the ESG report.
Ammonia can be used to replace coal in co-firing. According to experiments, 30% ammonia-coal co-firing achieves a one-to-one replacement in terms of overall carbon emissions.
During the high-level dialogue session, discussions were held on the theme of "Challenges in Hydrogen Energy Application Scenarios and Market-Oriented Paths", and questions from the venue were answered.
Zhang Song, Secretary-General of China Hydrogen Energy 100 Forum and Editor-in-Chief of Century New Energy Network, stated that domestic green hydrogen has begun to move toward commercialization. The standard for green hydrogen is not merely production from wind and solar energy, but the amount of carbon emitted. From an overall perspective of local business and policy environments, specific green hydrogen projects will struggle to achieve commercialization if disconnected from local conditions.
Hong Bo, Director of the Hydrogen Energy Materials and Engineering Research Center at Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University in Zhejiang, answered the question about the tipping point for hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. He noted that a new pilot involving 3,000 cold-chain logistics vehicles traveling from Gansu to Beijing will be launched, proposing a development model for logistics vehicles based on hydrogen cartridge replacement rather than on-site refueling. Regarding the issue of apparent overcapacity in hydrogen energy, he suggested that the industry should be viewed from a long-term perspective. Investors need keen insight to identify real industrial demand amid misleading publicity.
Tu Jianjun, China Director of Agora Energiewende, Visiting Researcher at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and the Energy Research Institute of Peking University, addressed how to achieve the energy revolution and accelerate the development of the hydrogen energy industry. He emphasized that the development of China’s hydrogen energy sector must align with international standards, and political mutual trust with Western countries is of great importance.
Mi Wanliang, Head of the Hydrogen Energy Center at Shandong Research Institute of Tianjin University and Chairman of Beijing HydrogenE Energy Technology Co., Ltd., stated that China has an extensive natural gas pipeline network, giving natural gas reforming for hydrogen production unique advantages. Currently, in the automotive industry, on-site hydrogen production from natural gas has been applied, eliminating substantial transportation and storage costs and achieving economic viability.
Jiang Hai, Vice President of New Energy Research Institute at Hydrochina Corporation, responded to the challenges of high costs and low conversion efficiency of green hydrogen and green ammonia, as well as rising costs caused by ammonia co-firing in thermal power plants. He proposed several solutions: 1. Launching scientific and technological research projects; 2. Providing appropriate subsidy policies for thermal power plants using ammonia co-firing; 3. Matching ammonia-co-firing power plants with supporting renewable energy projects to mitigate losses; 4. Incorporating technology-led demonstration projects into large-scale power transmission channels.
He also mentioned that China still has a long way to go in developing hydrogen turbines.
The cost of green ammonia mainly comes from green hydrogen, which is determined by electricity and electrolyzer costs, while the storage and transportation costs of green ammonia are relatively low.
Ning Yongqiang, Hydrogen Energy Business Director of Beijing CAS-High Technology Co., Ltd., introduced that liquid hydrogen heavy-duty trucks are expected to achieve a full-load cruising range of more than 1,200 kilometers in the future. He also noted that various hydrogen storage and transportation technologies are currently being developed in parallel across China, showing a diversified and flourishing landscape.
Exploration on the Application of Fuel Cells in Transportation and Power Generation
Li Hanbin, Deputy General Manager of Sunrise Power Co., Ltd., stated that in the transportation sector, the development of the fuel cell vehicle industry has accelerated. A hydrogen energy expressway network plan featuring "Two Verticals and Four Horizontals" has been formulated, running north–south and connecting east–west. The application of fuel cells has expanded in passenger vehicles, buses and commercial vehicles such as logistics heavy-duty trucks, and fuel cell commercial vehicles are gradually realizing commercial operation.
In the power generation field, the main challenges faced by hydrogen energy storage in renewable energy power grids include power generation cost, supporting infrastructure, localization of core components, improvement of regulations and standards, and policy support.
Including gaseous hydrogen storage, solid-state hydrogen storage and liquid hydrogen storage fuel cells, the installed capacity of stationary fuel cell power generation systems is increasing year by year, with applications in industry, commerce and household use.
Development and Application of Hydrogen Liquefaction Technology
Ning Yongqiang, Director of Hydrogen Energy Business at Beijing CAS-High Technology Co., Ltd., shared the development and application of hydrogen liquefaction technology. He stated that hydrogen liquefaction, storage and transportation represent key solutions for large-scale hydrogen application, and that appropriate hydrogen storage and transportation solutions should be selected based on different application scenarios.
In terms of hydrogen refueling station costs, liquid hydrogen refueling stations are less expensive than high-pressure hydrogen storage stations, and also require fewer compression devices and transport vehicles. Liquid hydrogen features high hydrogen storage density, with a gravimetric hydrogen storage density greater than 5% and volumetric density higher than 50 kg H₂/m³. It operates at low pressure, offers good safety performance, and its cost will further decrease with the expansion of equipment scale.
Progress and Application of Safe Organic Liquid Hydrogen Storage Technology
Yu Fei, CTO of Beijing Zhongqing Yuan’an Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the core factor restricting the further promotion of fuel cell vehicles is the storage and transportation of hydrogen. The key development goals for hydrogen storage and transportation are large capacity, long distance, long duration, high safety and low cost.
Zhongqing Yuan’an has selected dibenzyltoluene (DBT) as the hydrogen storage carrier. As a hydrogen storage material, DBT achieves a gravimetric hydrogen storage density of up to 6.2 wt.% and a volumetric hydrogen storage density of 56 kg/m³. In addition, the organic liquid and hydrogen-loaded organic liquid are non-hazardous chemicals, non-flammable, oxidation-resistant, non-toxic, harmless and non-corrosive, and can be transported as general cargo.
Organic liquid hydrogen storage can be applied in building heating, hydrogen supply for refueling stations, energy supply for transportation, energy storage and transportation, combined cooling, heating and power supply, as well as serving as an industrial raw material.
New Technologies for Scientific Energy Utilization and High-Value Application of Hydrogen Energy
Associate Professor Li Huayu from China University of Petroleum (East China) introduced approaches to scientific energy utilization and high-value application of hydrogen energy. He pointed out that the primary enemy of the energy revolution is energy waste. It is essential to find the simplest ways to achieve efficient energy utilization and solve the problem of efficient hydrogen use, as scientific breakthroughs have made rational energy application a reality.
At present, basic thermodynamic cycles are classified into six categories. The first type of heating cycle represents a groundbreaking advancement from 0 to 1, in which hydrogen energy is utilized with high efficiency. Hydrogen energy can serve as a leading energy source. Among the five fields of cooling, heating, power, electricity and energy storage, hydrogen energy can take the lead to realize efficient, high-value and wide-ranging utilization, promote the development of pipeline transportation, and lead the growth of the hydrogen energy industry.
Exploration and Achievements of Direct Hydrogen Production from Seawater
Zhou Xiaohong, General Manager of Suzhou Suqing Hydrogen Production Equipment Co., Ltd., shared the technological exploration and achievements of hydrogen production from seawater. He introduced two routes for hydrogen production from seawater: direct and indirect.
This year, China carried out the world's first pilot test of in-situ direct electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production using offshore wind power without desalination, which was a success.
Suqing's direct seawater-to-hydrogen equipment has focused on and tackled a series of key technical issues, including catalysts, electrode reaction processes, electrode materials, process design, and electrolyte regulation.
The company is actively promoting the coupled development of "offshore wind power + green hydrogen". Its special alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production unit with a capacity of 100 Nm³ H₂/h will turn green hydrogen production from offshore wind power into reality
Study on Equilibrium Distribution and Diffusion of Hydrogen-Methane Mixture in Gravitational Field
He Qiao, Senior Engineer of China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch, stated that hydrogen-blended natural gas transmission currently faces four major challenges: material adaptability of pipelines, pipeline transportation technology, safe operation, and terminal application.
At present, the industry has not yet reached a consensus on whether stratification occurs and its degree during the storage and transportation of hydrogen-blended natural gas. Conclusions from numerical simulations indicate stratification, while studies based on experimental or field data show no stratification or no harm caused by stratification.
According to Boltzmann distribution results and molecular dynamics simulations, it is concluded that hydrogen embrittlement depends on the partial pressure of H₂ and temperature.
High-Density Magnesium-Based Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Technology and Application Prospects
Jiang Fang, R&D Director of Shanghai Hydrofill Energy Technology Co., Ltd., shared high-density magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage technology and its application prospects. He pointed out that magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage technology features high hydrogen storage density and greatly improves hydrogen storage efficiency. However, hydrogen absorption and desorption of magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage require relatively high temperatures. At present, its applications in hydrogen storage at refueling stations and distributed power generation energy storage are still in the initial stage of industrialization.
Shanghai Hydrofill has developed an innovative magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage tank, which is perfectly compatible with large-capacity, high-efficiency and cost-effective transportation via road, railway or waterway, enhancing its practicality and ease of use.